Getting Started with QATrack+

Since QATrack+ is a web application (i.e. a client/server
configuration) getting it installed and set up correctly is not as
simple as running a one-click installer: it will require a time
investment and some technical skills (however there is a single file
download for evaluating QATrack+ described below). The process will
be different depending on the specific requirements of your clinic and
the platform (Operating System/server software/database) you choose
but to help you get started, we are providing a number of tutorials on
how to deploy QATrack+ on various platforms. If you want some help
deciding what platform to use or need some help installing and
configuring QATrack+, please post in the
QATrack+ discussion group/mailing list
and I will be happy to help out however I can!

Evaluating QATrack+

If you want to take QATrack+ for a test drive and have access to a
Windows computer, the easiest path is to
download the latest version
of the standalone QATrack+ program. Simply download a file, unzip it
somewhere and run the qatrackplus.bat file. This will start a
simple web server with an embedded database and allow you to try
out QATrack+ on your desktop. More details are available in
the README.txt file included with that download.

This standalone version should be used for testing and getting a feel
for the latest version of QATrack+. Due to limitations in its
database and webserver, the standalone version is not meant to be
used in situations where multiple users will be accessing it at the
same time (i.e. most clinical settings).

Implementing QATrack+ in the Clinic

Once you have decided that you would like to use QATrack+ the first
thing to do is
join the QATrack+ discussion group!
Obviously this isn't mandatory, but it is your best avenue for getting
implementation advice, help with configuration, discussing new
features etc. Plus, we would love to hear where QATrack+ is being
used!

Deploying QATrack+

Since QATrack+ can be deployed on multiple OS's (Windows/Linux/Mac)
with multiple different databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, MSSQL)
you should first determine (in consultation with your IT department if
appropriate ) what the most appropriate platform for running QATrack+
in your clinic is.

The recommended platform for running QATrack+ is using a Linux server
with PostgreSQL as a database. That said, you are certainly free to
choose another platform that either you or your IT department are more
comfortable with. In fact, due to the hospitals IT infrastructure, at
The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, we use a Microsoft based stack
based on Windows Server 2008 & MS SQL Server.

A number of installation & deployment guides are currently being
worked on and you can find them on our
deployment page.

Contributing to QATrack+

We would love to have people from outside TOHCC contributing to the
QATrack+ project. You do not need to be a programmer to help out with
the project! Some ideas on ways to contribute include: